Current Situation:

Operational plan for today:
Crews will continue to assess structure protection in Washakie Park and the St Lawrence Ranger Station.  All divisions will work direct on the fire line, conducting mop-up operations and securing the fire line for containment opportunities.  The Wyoming UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) mod, equipped with an IR camera will conduct flights to give firefighters an aerial view of both the fire line and any spot fires that may be outside of the main fire perimeter.  The Type 1 helicopter and the two Type 3 helicopters will continue water drops in communication with ground crews to work areas of heat.

Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game Road Closure:
The Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game have issued a road closure for the Washakie Park Road and the Sage Creek Road to St. Lawrence located within the Wind River Indian Reservation.

https://www.facebook.com/SAFishandGame 

Fire Conditions and Weather:
High pressure will build over the area Sunday and bring a return to warm temperatures and lower humidity.  Wind should remain light on Sunday and largely terrain driven. Similar weather conditions are expected Sunday night and into Monday. 

The Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game have issued a road closure for the Washakie Park Road and Sage Creek Road to St. Lawrence located within the Wind River Indian Reservation.
 

https://www.facebook.com/SAFishandGame 

Current Situation:

Operational plan for today:
Crews will continue to assess structure protection in Washakie Park and the St Lawrence Ranger Station.  As cloud cover lifts and visibility over the fire increases, crews will look for any spots on the east side of the fire that may have started from the high winds Thursday night.  Crews will work on securing the fire line for future containment opportunities utilizing direct and indirect line construction.  The Type 1 helicopter and the two Type 3 helicopters will conduct aerial water drops on active areas of the fire and conduct reconnaissance flights to provide information to ground crews, as well as mapping of the fire perimeter.

Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game Road Closure:
The Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game have issued a road closure for the Washakie Park Road and the Sage Creek Road to St. Lawrence located within the Wind River Indian Reservation. 

https://www.facebook.com/SAFishandGame

Fire Conditions and Weather:
Low clouds will begin to clear with mostly sunny skies over the fire by mid-day Saturday.  Winds will be light throughout the day, with RHs only dropping into the 40 percent range.  Temperatures warm slightly but will remain below average for Saturday.  A strong ridge moving overhead Sunday is expected to bring much warmer temperatures.  

Current Situation:

Operational plan for today:
Crews will assess structure protection in Washakie Park and the St Lawrence Ranger Station.  Crews will continue to scout and begin indirect fireline construction around the fire edge utilizing the cooler weather to look for opportunities to go direct.  Areal resources will be available to assist ground crews throughout today as well as provide any initial attack support that may be needed.

Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game Road Closure:
The Shoshone and Arapaho Fish and Game have issued a road closure for the Washakie Park Road and the Sage Creek Road to St. Lawrence located within the Wind River Indian Reservation. 

https://www.facebook.com/SAFishandGame

Fire Conditions and Weather
Friday temperatures will be cooler with abundant low cloud cover.  Light rain and drizzle look likely throughout the day.  Friday night is expected to be cool with high RH throughout the night with light winds.  

 Bolt Creek Fire Update

9 AM, September 16, 2022

Estimated size: 9,440 acres (estimated acreage, no infrared flight for three nights)

Containment: 5%

Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 am

Area of Origin: King Co. North of Skykomish

Cause: Under investigation

Structures Damaged: one out-building

Management of fire: Northwest Incident Management Team 8

Closures:
Road- Fire managers and cooperators met yesterday to discuss the status of the State Highway 2 closure.  The instability of very large trees and rocks in and around the fire area has been escalated by the fire heat, previous strong winds and precipitation.  Extreme risk to the public and firefighters continues. Due to these types of hazards, the Highway 2 corridor will remain closed to the public through the weekend and reevaluated late Monday morning. The road is closed east of the junction of Index-Galena Road and Highway 2 to the junction of 5th St N. into the town of Skykomish. The Washington State Department of Transportation, Puget Sound Energy, and Bonneville Power have been clearing hazards around their infrastructure helping to restoring access and services.

Forest-The Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has issued a forest closure near the Bolt Creek Fire. For specific details and map refer to the Bolt Creek Fire Inciweb page: Closures - Bolt Creek 

Update: Crews and heavy equipment including feller bunchers, masticators, and chippers are working to establish and reinforce containment lines on the west and eastern edges of the main fire. The strategy is to flank the fire, directing it toward the north into the Wild Sky Wilderness where there are many rocks/holding features.  This strategy directs the fire away from higher values at risk and provides resources an anchor point to safely fight fire. The lines are along Forest Service Road (FSR) 6510 and Beckler Road (east) and FSR 6022 (Heybrook Lookout Road) from Highway 2 to the Index-Galena Road along the west.  The long-term plan is to extend these lines toward the north on established roads. Crews are safely assessing the fire and natural hazards above the road and taking actions to make the highway safe for public use.  

Night shift firefighters patrolled and monitored the fire for any flare-ups. 

Washington State mobilized resources are being released as the need decreases for their services. Remaining engines continue to assist to remove fuels around structures and monitor perimeter lines.

 Weather and Fire Behavior: Westerly flow will continue today ahead of a potential disturbance that will move south along the west coast on Saturday. Expect mostly cloudy/ overcast skies, high humidity, and cooler temperatures associated with this system today and tomorrow. Precipitation chances increase this afternoon and evening as energy from the trough moves through the region. Daytime rainfall amounts will approach one to two tenths of an inch today. Today’s forecast is a temperature of 66 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 75%, winds will be southwest near 6 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation.

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels have changed effective Thursday, Sept. 15 at 12 p.m. noon. Fire movement has slowed over the past 48 hours. New guidance:

Level 1 (Ready): Index – reduced from a Level 2 (Set).  No other evacuation levels in Snohomish County. Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 to MP 48 (east of the Money Creek tunnel) remains at Level 3 (Go). Additionally, FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road) remains at level 3. Skykomish remains at level 1.

 2022_09_15-19.02.09.823-CDT.pdf (nwcg.gov)

 September 15th, 2022 @ 12:00 PM: 

UPDATE: Evacuation levels have changed effective Thursday, Sept. 15 at 12 p.m. noon.

Estimated size: 9,440 acres (estimated acreage, no infrared flight for two nights)

Containment: 5%

Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 am

Area of Origin: King Co. North of Skykomish

Cause: Under investigation

Structures Damaged: one out-building

Management of fire: Northwest Incident Management Team 8

Road Closures: State Highway 2 remains closed east of the junction of Index-Galena Road and Highway 2 to the junction of 5th St N. into the town of Skykomish. The fire continues to destabilize the steep terrain above the highway resulting in rock falls, rolling debris and falling trees. Last night a very large fire-weakened Douglas fir tree fell and slid downhill at high speed across the highway and through the guardrail. Due to these types of hazards, Highway 2 corridor remains unsafe for public use.  The Washington State Department of Transportation has been serving a critical role in clearing and restoring firefighter access.

Update: Fire behavior is anticipated to be light to moderate today.  Crews are extinguishing hot spots as the fire nears the highway and continue to prevent the fire from crossing the highway.  Crews are assessing areas of the fire above the road to determine what is needed to make the highway safe for public use.  Work by crews and heavy equipment continue to establish and reinforce containment lines along forest roads on the west and eastern sections of the fire.

Washington State Mobilized Resources are still present and working diligently to protect homes and structures from the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Westerly onshore flows will continue the next couple of days with little change in surface weather conditions. Expect mostly cloudy skies, high humidity, and cooler temperatures. Precipitation is not expected today, but chances of light precipitation is possible on Friday as a disturbance begins to influence the region. Temperatures are forecast to be 54°F on the upper ridges and 73°F in the valleys, with minimum relative humidity near 62%.  Winds will be light, coming out of the west at 3-8 mph.

Fuels remain dry and the fire will move primarily where wind and slopes align in steep terrain. The fire is still capable of large runs if winds increase above 25 mph. However, high winds are not currently predicted, and fine fuel moistures continue to increase with the rise in relative humidity resulting in reduce fire activity.

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Evacuation Levels: The need for evacuation level and roads closures are evaluated daily.  At this time, evacuation remain the same:
- Level 2 (Set): Index - Residents can return home. 
- Level 1 (Ready): Between Index and Zeke's Drive In
- From Zeke's to Gold Bar east city limits, no posted level. 
- Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 after milepost 48 (east of Money Creek tunnel) will remain at Level 3. Additionally, Forest Service Road 65 (Beckler River Road) is at Level 3. Skykomish will remain at Level 1. 
 
Please understand that the fire remains active and conditions could change quickly.   In order to keep the public safe, changes in evacuation levels might also be required.  Please be prepared.

Current Evacuation and road closures can be found at: https://snohomish-county-public-safety-hub-snoco-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire

Smoke: Updated information on air quality may be found at Washington Smoke Blog at https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Sheltering: The Event Center in Startup is providing indoor shelter at 14315 366th Ave, SE, Startup WA, 98293.  The Red Cross Shelter at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds is closed.  For Red Cross assistance, please call 1-800-RedCross.

Air Space Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Bolt Creek Fire. Please review the Notice to Airmen in its entirety. Please help the firefighters by respecting the TFR. If you fly, we can’t!

Resources: 431 personnel – 1-type 1 hotshot hand crew, 5-type 2 initial attack

hand crews, 1-type 2 hand crew, 3-dozers, 42-engines, 2-masticators, 5-water tenders, and 136 overhead,

As we come to the end of the summer season, new fire starts are still very possible.  Please remember, “Big fires start small. Be ember aware!”

###

Bolt Creek Fire Update September 14, 2022

Estimated size: 9,440 acres 

Containment: 5% 

Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 am 

Area of Origin: King Co. North of Skykomish 

Cause: Undetermined 

Structures Damaged: one out-building 

Road Closures: Highway 2 remains closed east of the junction of Index-Galena Road and Highway 2 to the junction of 5th St N into the town of Skykomish. The highway is unsafe to travel due to rock fall, rolling fire debris, and falling trees. Fire managers understand the inconvenience and desire for residents to return to their homes. Please avoid the fire area to give firefighters time to address snags, hot spots, and other hazards. The sooner the hazards have been mitigated, the sooner the public will be able to return. 

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels changed yesterday evening –  
  
- Level 2 (Set): Index - reduced from a Level 3. Residents can return home.  
- Level 1 (Ready): Between Index and Zeke's Drive In - reduced from a Level 2.  
- From Zeke's to Gold Bar east city limits, no longer at Level 1.  
- Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 after milepost 48 (east of Money Creek tunnel) will remain at Level 3. Additionally, Forest Service Road 65 (Beckler River Road) is at Level 3. Skykomish will remain at Level 1.  
  
Please understand that the fire remains active and conditions could change quickly.   In order to keep the public safe, changes in evacuation levels might also be required.  Please be prepared. 

Current Evacuation and road closures can be found at: https://snohomish-county-public-safety-hub-snoco-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire  

Update: The Bolt Creek Fire started on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 5:15 am near Beckler Road in King County, WA. The cause of the fire is undetermined. Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock, is managing the fire.  

Favorable weather conditions continue to keep the fire moderately active with minimal perimeter growth toward Highway 2 and neighboring communities. The fire continues to slowly back downhill toward the highway, primarily burning ground fuels with minimal tree torching. Firefighters continue to monitor the area, remove hazard trees, and preventing  

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the fire from crossing Highway 2. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will bring in specialists to analyze safety conditions prior to opening the highway. Puget Sound Energy is working to restore power lines in the area.  

Crews are using heavy equipment including feller bunchers, masticators, and chippers to clear brush and fuels along roads that will be used as primary or alternate fire lines. Firefighters will work along Forest Service Road (FSR) 6510 and Beckler Road removing fuels to use as a holding feature on the east edge of the fire. FSR 6022 (Heybrook Lookout Road) from Highway 2 to the Index-Galena Road along the west fire perimeter will also be prepared as a holding line. Night shifts will continue to provide patrols and monitor fire activity. 

Washington State Mobilization Resources are present working to secure the safety of homes and structures. We appreciate their support in keeping local communities safe.  

Weather and Fire Behavior: A weak storm system will slide across the region today bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms.  Thunderstorms may bring gusty outflow winds and hail. Temperatures are forecast to be 58-64°F, with minimum relative humidity near 90%.  Winds will be light, coming out of the west at 5-6 mph in the afternoon. 

Fuels remain dry and the fire will move primarily where wind and slopes align in steep terrain. The fire is still capable of large runs if winds increase above 25 mph. However, high winds are not currently predicted. Fine fuel moistures are increasing as moisture and relative humidity increase. 

Smoke: Updated information on air quality may be found at Washington Smoke Blog at https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ 

Air Space Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Bolt Creek Fire. Please review the Notice to Airmen in its entirety. Please help the firefighters by respecting the TFR. If you fly, we can’t! 

Sheltering: Snohomish County and the American Red Cross are providing indoor shelter and RV slots at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, located at 14405 179th Ave. SE, Monroe. For shelter assistance, proceed to the Weikel Building at the fairgrounds or RV Lot 2. Staff will be on-site to assist you. Assistance is also available at Start-up Event Center. 

Resources: 426 personnel – 1-type 1 hotshot hand crew, 5-type 2 initial attack  

hand crews, 1-type 2 hand crew,  3-dozers, 41-engines, 2-masticators, 5-water tenders, and 126 overhead. 

Even though the area received scattered precipitation, new fire starts are very possible.  Remember, “One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire.” 

### 

 EVACUATION LEVEL CHANGES
Fire movement has slowed over the past 24 hours. New guidance: 
 
- Level 2 (Set): Index - reduced from a Level 3. Residents can return home. 
- Level 1 (Ready): Between Index and Zeke's Drive In - reduced from a Level 2. 
- From Zeke's to Gold Bar east city limits, no longer at Ready level. 
- Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 after milepost 48 (east of Money Creek tunnel) will remain at Level 3. Additionally, FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road) is at Level 3. Skykomish will remain at Level 1. 
 
- U.S. 2 remains closed from Index-Galena Road to milepost 49 (east end of Skykomish). The highway remains unsafe to travel due to rock fall and fire debris.
 
Please understand that the fire remains active and conditions could change quickly. Evacuations could again become necessary.